The Process of Disclosure for Child Victims

Abstract

Unfortunately, child abuse continues to be a widespread problem in the United States and around the world. The professional community recognized abuse as a social problem in the 1960s with Dr Henry Kempe's suggestion that physicians should report observed cases of child abuse. Child abuse had previously been defined and identified, but not as a social problem. Over the years, the prevalence of child abuse and exploitation has increasingly become a major concern in our communities, "occupying a very high position on the social agendas of the United States and other countries." Through social constructionism, social conditions become social problems; essentially, when societal reactions of individuals, organizations, religious groups, and others are strong, they transform public perception about the importance of community problems. Child abuse became a social problem once communities started speaking out about their unwillingness to accept maltreatment and exploitation of children. When doctors began collaborating with other professionals in the field, the movement encouraged the development of laws related to mandated reporting of suspected child abuse. These laws were instrumental in bringing suspected child abuse victims to the attention of professionals who could help them and bring justice to the family, (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)